Parachute



Patented Mar. 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM: J. emson or HOUSTON, Texas PABACHUTE Application fled August 14, 1980. Serial F0. 475,213.

This invention relates to improvements in parachutes of the pneumatic type characterized by alight rubber tube which isincased in the fabric and encircles the chute at the lower ed e, where the shrouds are fastened and whic when charged with air or gas will cause the instantaneous opening of the chute the moment the rip-cord is pulled.

To provide an adequate and practical means for inflating the parachute, a tank constructed of aluminum alloy of proper dimensions in proportion to the size of the parachute, is attached directly to the pneumatic tube by means of two short nipples and 5 an intermediate valve. The valve is opened by apull on the rip-cord.

The valve used can be any of the spring type valves already in use. The only changes necessary Being that the valve be made to proper dimensions and the spring arrangement reversed. That is the spring would tend to keep the valve open instead of closed. And a pin and eye arrangement to keep the valve closed tightly until the rip-cord which is attached to the pin, is pulled. It is well known that parachutes often fail to open; and

- it is concluded by aeronautical experts that anyone attempting a parachute jump must be at an altitude of at least 500 feet, otherwise a parachute will not have suflicient time to function at all. g

The pneumatic type of parachute with the means for charging with gas or air by the simple device of attaching a gas or air container of light metal directly to the tube with nipples and valve so that when the rip-cord is ulled, the air or gasis released into the ru ber tube which encircles the parachute, will cause the chute to function without fail and within a much closer proximity to the ground than any of the parachutes now being I used.

Any of the common umbrella type of parachutes made of silk orpongeecould easil be equipped with this pneumatic device. Llttle or no change in the packing of any of the approved types of parachutes now in use would be necessary except that the cloth in which the chute is packed would be .made large enough to inclose the air or gas tank and the slightly added bulk made necessary by the rubber tube. a

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a parachute showing the rubber tube arrangement with air or gas tank and valve attached directly to the tube; Figure 2 is a plan view of the parachute also showing the'rubber tube arrangement with air or gas tank and valve attached to tube and how the opening of chute is effected by the distention of rubber tube when the air or. gas is released from the tank into tube. Through intake check-valve 4 the lighter metal tank 2 is charged with suflicient air or gas that when released by the opening of valve 3 into rubber tube 1 will cause the full distention of tube 1. The opening of valve 3 is effected by a pull on rip-cord 5 which draws a pin that holds valve 3 tightly closed. The instant inflating and expanding of the rubber tube will not only cause an almost instantaneous opening of the parachute, but will also tend to counteract the effect'of strong winds which some times interfere with the normal working of a chute; and should a jumper and parachute fall into a body of water the inflated tube and tank will provide a means for keeping a person afloat.

I do not claim the invention of a parachute or the idea of inflating parachutes by the use of rubber tubing. I only claim:

A new and useful improvement in the pneumatic type of opening device for parachutes, comprising a light metal tank or container for air or gas to be attached directly with a nipple and valve to the rubber tube mounted on the periphery of the canopy of the parachute.

' W. J. GLEASON. 

